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Contact EPA Pacific Southwest Water Division
Pacific Southwest, Region 9
Serving: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands, Tribal Nations
Watershed Priorities
Morro Bay, California, Watershed
On this page:
Morro Bay, located between Santa Barbara and Monterey on California's Central Coast, is an important estuary, valued for its economic and ecological resources. The 2,300 acre estuary is home to a working fishing fleet and recreational boaters. Morro Bay provides important habitat for birds, fish and other animals. It is a vital stop for migrating birds on the Pacific Flyway. Sheltering pools and eelgrass beds provide nursery habitat for fish and invertebrates.
The Morro Bay National Estuary Program is one of 28 estuaries nationwide designated and funded by the US EPA as National Estuary Projects due to their national significance. The Morro Bay NEP protects and restores the important estuarine and watershed resources through on-the-ground projects, partnerships and education. The Morro Bay NEP and its partners monitor water and sediment quality, habitat and species. Monitoring is used to identify and track the most critical environmental issues, and to determine the effectiveness of restoration and pollution control actions.
The Morro Bay Watershed covers 76 square miles and includes two main tributaries: Chorro Creek and Los Osos Creek. The eight digit Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) is 18060006. Land use includes about 60% ranchland, 19% brushland, 7% urban areas (City of Morro Bay, Los Osos and Baywood), 7% agriculture (crops) and 7% woodland. The Morro Bay Watershed climate is Mediterranean with the majority of precipitation occurring as rainfall in the winter.
Although the condition of the Morro Bay Watershed is relatively good when compared to other West Coast estuaries, and the resources are relatively intact, the watershed is none the less at great risk of degradation. Environmental issues of concern in the waters of the Morro Bay Watershed include:
- Increased sedimentation in the Bay and at the base of Chorro and Los Osos Creeks;
- Elevated amounts of pathogens;
- Elevated amounts of nutrients; and
- Reduced amounts of dissolved oxygen.
In order to address these priority issues, the California Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board has developed, and the US Environmental Protection Agency has approved four Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) designations for the Morro Bay Watershed. These TMDLs are:
- Morro Bay Sediment TMDL, covering Chorro Creek, Los Osos Creek and the Morro bay Estuary (approved January 2004);
- Morro Bay Pathogen TMDL, covering Chorro Creek and Los Osos Creek, and the Morro Bay Estuary (January 2004);
- Chorro Creek Nutrients and Dissolved Oxygen TMDL (July 2007); and
- Los Osos Creek, Warden Creek and Warden Lake Wetland Nutrient TMDL (March 2005).
The US EPA works closely with the California's Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, the Morro Bay National Estuary Program and other watershed partners to protect and restore the water quality and ecosystem health of the Morro Bay watershed.
- Morro Bay National Estuary Program
- California Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board
- San Luis Obispo Science and Ecosystem Alliance
- Central Coast Wetlands GIS Project
Contact Information
Suzanne Marr (firstname.lastname@example.com)
(415) 972-3468


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SDE Reissue Preview for 2016
Another year over and a new one just begun... 2015 brought us some fantastic reissues and box sets, but for those who enjoy their glasses half empty, it also failed to deliver some hoped-for product (hello, Kate Bush, Prince and Pet Shop Boys).
This year should be good though and I'm sure we will see a 30th anniversary edition of the PSB's debut Please. Hopefully, after the big announcement last month, Concord Bicycle Music Company will be using pedal power to deliver R.E.M. fans an Out Of Time 25th deluxe too.
We know (thanks to those 'coming soon' cards in the recent reissues) that Paul McCartney is skipping forward to 1989 and selecting Flowers in the Dirt for his next Archive Collection deluxe releases, it's just a question of whether he'll opt for a May/June release or whether we'll have to wait until Sep/Oct for it.
No messing around as we ease into 2016 with the small matter of a new David Bowie album at the end of next week! Mike Oldfield follows not long after and continues his intelligent and stylish reissue campaign with not only Discovery and The Killing Fields but a new collection called The 1984 Suite. Hopefully, Phil Collins' back is better and his delayed reissues can be promoted at the end of January. Finally, Star Wars fans should get their pre-orders in for the 11-disc Ultimate Soundtrack Collection which is great value at less than £40!
Reissues/albums of interest in January include:
- • Phil Collins / Face Value and Both Sides reissues
- • Julia Fordham / Julia Fordham (2CD Deluxe)
- • The Monkees / Complete Albums (10CD box set)
- • Black Sabbath / Various reissues (2CD)
- • Various Artists / Still in a Dream: The Story of Shoegaze (5CD)
- • Deep Purple / The Vinyl Collection (7LP box set)
- • Siouxsie and the Banshees / Classic Album Selection (6CD box)
- • David Bowie / Blackstar (new album)
- • Mike Oldfield / Discovery/Killing Fields/1984 Suite (Deluxe editions)
- • John Williams / Star Wars Ultimate Soundtrack Collection (box sets)
- • Suede / Night Thoughts (new album)
- • Ashford & Simpson / Gimme Something Real (expanded reissue)
- • John Cale / Music For A New Society (2CD deluxe)
- • Steven Wilson / 4 1/2 (new album)
- • Eric Clapton / The Studio Album Collection (9LP vinyl box)
Elton John returns with Wonderful Crazy Night, his 32nd studio album, which like 2013's The Diving Board comes as a super deluxe edition box set. The Fun Lovin' Criminals are back with a tour and a 6-disc deluxe of their debut, and David Bowie is on the release schedules again, this time with a 4LP box set of his Bowie at the Beeb set.
Reissues/albums of interest in February include:
- • Ken Boothe / Everything I Own: Lloyd Charmers Sessions
- • Fun Lovin' Criminals / Come Find Yourself (deluxe sets)
- • Carter USM / Hello, Good Evening, Welcome. And Goodbye (vinyl LP)
- • Various Artists / George Fest: …the Music of George Harrison
- • Elton John / Wonderful Crazy Night (new album)
- • Johnny Cash / Koncert v Praze (CD)
- • David Bowie / Bowie at the Beeb (4LP vinyl box)
- • Tony Banks / A Curious Feeling and The Fugitive reissues
- • Erasure / vinyl reissues
- • Jason Donovan / Ten Good Reasons expanded
Primal Scream return with the dubiously titled Chaosmosis. Judging by the comments when we posted about this last month, the artwork is as unpopular as the title. James have a new album out, as does Tanita Tikaram. Sony (for some reason) will reissue Sade's Best Of on vinyl, as the wait for a Diamond Life deluxe continues.
Reissues/albums of interest in March include:
- • Primal Scream / Chaosmosis (new album)
- • Jeff Buckley / You and I
- • Status Quo / Various reissues (2CD)
- • James / Girl at the End of the World (new album)
- • Eddi Reader / Best of Eddi Reader
- • Tanita Tikaram / Closer to the People (new album)
- • Sade / Best of Sade (2LP vinyl reissue)
APRIL & Beyond
Confirmed reissues:
- Leonard Cohen / Vinyl reissues
- Paul McCartney / Flowers in the Dirt (archive collection reissue)
- Thompson Twins / Quick Step and Side Kick (2LP deluxe)
- Jean Michel Jarre / Electronica Part 2 (read about part one here)
- Erasure / box set
Rumoured / likely-to-happen reissues:
I think it's safe to say that – amazingly – we are likely to see a George Michael reissue, given all the recent activity (including the Freedom! '90 picture disc) around the 25th anniversary of his best album, Listen Without Prejudice, vol 1. Whether George will open up the archives and include unreleased material (he didn't with Faith) remains to be seen.
We know that Tears For Fears now have no choice but to deliver their new album before the summer, since they've already lined up their first UK gigs in over 10 years to support it. Meanwhile, the the reissue campaign started in 2013 with The Hurting, will continue, with a Q4 re-release of The Seeds of Love highly probable.
Neil Tennant talked about a 'forthcoming reissue project' for the Pet Shop Boys almost a year ago. We were hoping for something in 2015 but clearly 'issues' have slowed things down. No matter, 2016 is the 30th anniversary of Please, so we will either get an all-singing and all-dancing deluxe of their debut or some kind of ambitious Blur Box-style career retrospective that spans many years. Our money is on the former.
R.E.M.'s Out of Time is another album celebrating an anniversary (25 years) and as mentioned at the top of this post, it is highly likely to be reissued this year because the band have walked away from Warners and inked a deal with Concord Bicycle Music Company specifically to 'leverage' the Warner-era back catalogue.
Deep Purple's delayed Made in Europe box set should see the light of day in 2016, and I'll deploy some reverse psychology here and say that Kate Bush's Before The Dawn definitely WON'T come out as a multi-disc CD/Blu-ray/DVD package before the year is out.
Paul Waaktaar from a-ha mentioned in a fan chat that a deluxe reissue of the band's 'comeback' album from 2000, Minor Earth Major Sky, is being worked on, so we may see that before the year is out and we know that Parlophone are working on a 'series' of David Bowie boxes, so a follow-up to Five Years is close to a certainty in 2016 (SDE money is on it being called Golden Years).
Last year, on the eve of his six-disc Collected Recordings set, we asked Lloyd Cole about working on box sets. He told us "I'm not against it, but I wouldn't want to be devoting the majority of my time [to it]". Despite this, he has already enthusiastically poured some energy into researching a solo albums box. It sounds like early days, so perhaps this is a project that may not see the light of day until 2017.
Finally, this wouldn't be a reissue preview without lamenting the lack of the any Prince deluxe editions. It was March 2014 when Warners told the world that their new agreement with the Purple One would "see the release of long-awaited, previously unheard material". Well, where is it then? Maybe they meant it would be a 'long wait' rather than 'long awaited'. Almost two years down the line they appear to have be duped. Prince continues to do whatever he wants (issue new material, 'hit and run' tours etc.) and doesn't appear to be doing ANYTHING Warners (or fans) want – i.e. enabling them to get on with creating some deluxe reissues. At least there is no evidence that anything is happening and only a fool would predict any reissues for 2016.
Thanks for stopping by and checking out this preview. The list isn't meant to be totally exhaustive, so if you know of something not featured why not leave a comment and let us and fellow SDE readers know! Happy New Year!

subset: commoncrawl


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Bluetooth Wireless Adapter for Pioneer "Bluetooth Adapter Ready" Receivers
Talk Hands-Free
Convenience to the Driver
Listen through Car Speaker System
The CD-BTB200 is designed to work only with Pioneer "Bluetooth Adapter Ready" Navigation systems, AV Receivers and CD Players. Bluetooth® Wireless Technology allows these Pioneer receivers to communicate automatically with and treat most compatible cellular phones as source devices within a given range. Simply set up a user ID, and you can make and take calls, use call waiting, talk, and hang up- all while your phone remains in your bag, purse or pocket.
Bluetooth® Wireless Technology also allows you to place and receive calls. The included microphone eliminates the need for an additional hands-free kit installation. The result is the optimum in both convenience and driving safety.
Compatible with many Pioneer "IP-Bus" systems using External Control. Features and Operation are limited, however; consult the owner's manual for more details.
*Some functions may be limited using the CD-BTB200 with this model. See Owner's Manual for details.
Bluetooth functionality requires a Bluetooth-enabled Pioneer system and a compatible Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone. Optional Pioneer Bluetooth adapter (CD-BTB200 or ND-BT1) may be required, see product page for more details. Certain Bluetooth features may not be supported by all compatible Bluetooth-enabled devices, and/or the functionality of such features may be limited in certain devices or by certain wireless carriers. Some Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones may not be fully compatible with (and certain features/functionality may be limited with) a Bluetooth-enabled Pioneer system.
The Bluetooth trademarks are owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. © Bluetooth SIG, Inc. 2009


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A man is scanned by the system before passing through a metal detector at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice. |
DETROIT, Mich. — The Wayne County Sheriff's Office has obtained next-generation technology to non-invasively detect concealed weapons and narcotics. With the assistance of Michigan-based First Response Solutions Inc., the Sheriff's Office recently introduced the T4400 system to screen people entering the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, which houses the state's busiest criminal court. The passive terahertz imaging technology was developed by Oxfordshire, England-based ThruVision.
"The installation is the start of a trial by the Sheriff's Office," said Sheriff Warren C. Evans in a prepared statement. "The Sheriff's Office will test and evaluate the increased capability that ThruVision's T4400 terahertz imager can provide in the screening of visitors to the facility. We're honored to have been selected to be the first law enforcement agency in the United States of America to test this technology, and are grateful to ThruVision and First Response Solutions for providing us this equipment on a trial basis to help us better protect employees and visitors at our criminal court building," Sheriff Evans said.
How it works
Unlike competitive systems, the ThruVision device does not send any signals out (like radiation), but reads the natural energy off the body.
Clive Beattie, CEO of ThruVision Ltd., said in a recent company press release, "Unlike x-ray or some millimeter wave RADAR security imaging technology that is been evaluated at some airports and secured facilities, ThruVision's technology is totally passive. Images of concealed objects are formed by detecting the natural 'terahertz waves' emitted all the time by both people and objects, which makes the system absolutely safe for pregnant woman and people with pacemakers."
These low energy waves are then processed by ThruVision's software and displayed on a computer, providing images of concealed objects on a person's body without revealing anatomical detail. The system is not a replacement for metal detectors, but has been designed to work in conjunction with traditional screening systems.
Applications and implications
Charles Newsome, a retired Detroit police officer and president of security counseling company First Response Solutions, told Police1 in an exclusive interview that ThruVision is consistent with the needs of law enforcement.
"Using the ThruVision system doesn't mean that law enforcement officials have to change the way they're used to doing business," Newsome said. "After implementing the system, there is no need to dramatically change protocols or go through extensive training."
The ThruVision system is free-standing and can scan individuals that are waiting in line to pass through a metal detector. In this way, the system can be an "add-on" to the existing screening process. The device connects to a laptop computer that can be mounted at a workstation so that security officials can quickly and easily detect contraband weapons or narcotics that may pass through metal detectors, such as liquid or plastic explosives and ceramic edged weapons.
"ThruVision's technology eventually may replace 'pat down' screening in many venues," said Newsome. "The system is fast, and many people find manual pat downs unpleasant…this is the future of security screening."
The device has a visual and audio alert after detecting an object so that security officials can efficiently detain and search the suspect. The ThruVision system has been successfully implemented worldwide, including the busy London Heathrow International Airport, where it has been incorporated into the regular security checkpoint.
A security official uses a laptop computer to monitor the screening process. |
"There are so many law enforcement applications for this system," Newsome said. "The perfect choice would be any large building with channeled public access; sporting venues, convention centers, airports, and courthouses for example. . . the options are really limitless."
The system has been up and running at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Wayne County for two weeks, and has been extremely successful thus far.


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Over the last decade, Immanuel OPC in Bellmawr, New Jersey, has sponsored ten pastoral internships—seven in the summer, with three of them later serving for a year. Today, six of their interns are ordained and five serve in the OPC, including one as a missionary.
Why is this church so dedicated to training men for the ministry? "(We) see the nurturing of men for the gospel ministry in the OPC as a significant ministry to which God has called us, and which, by his grace, we feel we are able to proffer," said pastor Thomas Church. "Everybody wins, even in the case of one man whom we strongly advised not to pursue the ministry."
Many OP pastors have mentored seminarians as summer interns or graduates as yearlong interns. Over the past decade, four interns have served Grace OPC in Vienna, Virginia—two as summer interns and two as yearlong interns. Pastor Daniel Clifford sees sponsoring internships as a way "to help with the work, to help train a man for the ministry, and to give a ministry opportunity to the congregation at the same time."
Mount Rose Reformed OPC in Reno, Nevada, wasn't looking for an intern, but a man approached them seeking an internship around the time a sizable monetary gift was given to the church. The congregation decided to use some of the money for an intern because "having an intern would be a way to advance the church for future generations," said pastor Andy Preston. "It was a way we as a congregation could give back to the church."
Before deciding to have an intern, churches must consider their pastor's time commitments, their finances, and how to find a suitable candidate.
Clifford first considered if he had enough time for an intern. "Although an intern will save me some work, I have to figure that overall it will be a net increase in labor for me," he said. He prepared a list of duties and discussions up front.
Clifford then ascertained how much an intern would cost and if they could afford one. Using online resources, he determined a reasonable wage for a married man with children living in their area. He considered the Committee on Christian Education's monthly support and his congregation's financial situation. Their financial package included housing and health insurance, which costs as much as the pastor's if the intern has a family, unless his wife has insurance with her work. Summer interns may be housed with families, but yearlong interns live on their own.
After the pastor, session, and trustees gave their support to having an intern, the proposal was presented at the annual congregational meeting. Clifford asked the congregation to welcome the intern into their homes and give feedback to him. Once they approved, Clifford interviewed candidates, selected a man, and coordinated his move.
Immanuel Church has the seminarian serve as a summer intern and then as a sessional assistant before they ask him to become a yearlong intern.
Internships benefit the intern, the pastor, the session, the congregation, and the broader OPC.
Interns gain when pastors share their experiences, hopes and fears, and answer the question, "Why did you do that?" said Clifford. Preston's intern preached regularly and interacted with people who had family and job issues. He learned that the ministry isn't glamorous and to meet people as they are, Preston reported.
Clifford explained that mentoring pastors benefit from the clarity gained by explaining their pastoral work to others, from assigned readings, and from seeing their congregation through another's eyes.
"The session gains a vision for the wider church," said Clifford, as they consider whether this man should be a pastor and how best to prepare him for his next post.
The congregation connects to the whole OPC as their former intern shows up in New Horizons, broadening their vision for raising up men for the ministry, said Clifford.
The whole OPC also benefits. "Almost any intern in any OP church would leave that internship better equipped for his next calling," said Clifford. "Internships hold great promise, and I would encourage almost any congregation to give it a try." Church agrees. "I thank the Lord for the internship program, and I count it as one of the most important and significant parts of the work of the CCE."
"I hope that the intern would be a faithful minister in the OPC for many years to come, and that God would use him to bring some to salvation and as an encouragement to those under his care," said Preston.
The deadline for churches and seminarians to apply for internships is February 29, 2012. Information and applications are available at OPC.org; click on Christian Education, then select Internships.
© 2024 The Orthodox Presbyterian Church


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Hello FreeNAS users!
Happy New Year! We hope your holidays were well-spent with loved ones. It's a new year, so we're taking some time to look back and reflect on the things we've accomplished last year… such as the new FreeNAS 9.2 RELEASE! Of course, it's also about planning for the future, so we're currently looking to hire new talent to join the FreeNAS team. If that piqued your interest, read on!
In keeping with New Year traditions, we resolve to keep pushing out new releases and features, to listen to your feedback, and to always work with the goal of making FreeNAS better. Thank you for being a part of our community and let's all work to make 2014 even more successful.
The FreeNAS Team
NEW FreeNAS 9.2 – RELEASE
It's finally here! We know you've been waiting a long time for this and we're proud to announce the official release of FreeNAS 9.2 stable.
If you've got an older version of FreeNAS and it's working fine, why should you update? Well, along with several bugfixes, the newest version unlocks several great, new features including:
- Linux jail support
- Based on FreeBSD 9.2 with added features and hardware support
- Improved performance of encrypted ZFS volumes
- Jails templates allow quicker deployments of copies of a model jail
- Shell button added to jails – makes it easier to access the Shell from Jails
A full list of features can be found in the release notes. Sign up for the announcements mailing lists to get updates on new releases
A big thanks to everyone who helped with development, sent in bug reports, made suggestions, or contributed otherwise to this release. You guys made this all happen; we couldn't have done it without you!
Job Opening: Call for Developers
Like what you see? Want to be a part of the next FreeNAS release? Well, iXsystems is looking for a few good developers!
Who are we? iXsystems is the corporate sponsor of the FreeNAS project. We are also the sponsors of PC-BSD, FreeBSD for the desktop, and long-time contributors to the FreeBSD and ZFS projects! You could say that Open Source and OS development is in our blood. If you feel the same way, please read further!
Deep knowledge of Unix and Unix internals is required (Linux is OK, but BSD is a big plus!). Must be extremely fluent in C. Python fluency not required, but a definite plus as our UI is written in Python & Django. Storage/Enterprise market experience is also a plus, though not a strict requirement; if you're a great Unix + C developer, we can teach you about the storage and enterprise market! You will have the ability to substantially influence the evolution of the FreeNAS product, as well as other future Hardware & OSS Software appliances, with very little internal politics or "silos" to stand in your way. We are a small shop, and those who do great work get long leashes!
iXsystems is based in San Jose, CA so residency or willingness to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area is definitely a plus, but not a strict requirement – for the right person, we will consider full or part time telecommuting from inside or outside the U.S. H1-B VISA sponsorship will also be considered for the right person (if you really kick butt, we'll go the extra mile in both respects!). We also offer competitive salaries, health benefits, and 401K.
Interested? Think you have what it takes? Contact Jordan Hubbard at firstname.lastname@example.com with a current copy of your resumé. Cover letters appreciated but not required!
An Introduction to FreeNAS via ADMIN Magazine
ADMIN Magazine recently published an article called "Introduction to FreeNAS" by Ben Milman and Mark VonFange. Both Ben and Mark are employees of iXsystems, so they have close-to-the-source, verified knowledge about the inner workings of FreeNAS. They cover the basics of FreeNAS, how the ZFS filesystem works and lesser known facts like the differences between FreeNAS and TrueNAS. It's an informative read, so take a look if you're interested in first-hand pointers that will help you optimize your own FreeNAS system.
Build a Home Server with FreeNAS via DIY Tryin
Have an old desktop lying around? This episode of DIY Tryin demonstrates how you can use FreeNAS to make a home server. DIY Tryin is a show that focuses on home projects you can build and do yourself. Sure enough, the video takes you through the entire process of setting up a home server, from hardware choices all the way through installation and configuration. Hosts Patrick Norton and Michael Hand did a great job explaining the advantages of having a home NAS and using ZFS. They also took some time to show off how easy the installation process is. It's definitely worth checking out if you'd like an easy-to-understand and entertaining tutorial that guides you through setup.
Tech Tip #2
ZFS can get cranky when there's more than a few thousand snapshots.
Connect with Us
If you need help with your FreeNAS setup or would like to show off your configuration, share your plugins, or just talk with like-minded people, join the conversation on our community forums.
For video tutorials, check out our YouTube channel.
Want real-time updates as they happen? Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or add us to your Google+ circle!


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Frayed Knights Review
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Corwin and skavenhorde have both played through Frayed Knights multiple times to bring you this comprehensive review, starting with Corwin's opinion.
What's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. But would a game? Well, the play's the thing and recently I had the opportunity to play a little Indie title with an imposing name - Frayed Knights: The Skull of Smakh-Daon. The game is the brainchild of developer Jay (Rampant Coyote) Barnson and you can read our recent interview with him here. It features four novice adventurers who want nothing more than to be allowed to join the prestigious Adventurers Guild if only they could prove themselves worthy.
You begin the game with your four pre-generated characters in what amounts to little more than a tutorial dungeon, but it does provide an excellent introduction to the game, the gameplay mechanics and the different character types. You will have the opportunity to explore, fight, disarm traps, search for hidden doors and treasure, rescue a damsel in distress and attempt to complete a fairly straightforward - but important - quest while learning how everything works. You'll gain some valuable experience and likely at least one level, which will then enable you to begin improving your characters skills. You might even choose to teach them some new ones.
Central to enjoying this game is coming to know and understand the four preset characters you play in this party-based game. As the story begins, Arianna (a fighter), Dirk (a rogue), Chloe (a sorcerer) and Benjamin (a Nature based Priest) have just entered an ancient temple to complete a quest, which will gain them entrance to the Adventurers Guild if they complete it successfully. You are immediately introduced not only to the game's dialogue system, but to the quirky personalities of each of the characters, and they certainly do have plenty of personality.
Allow me to pause for just a moment to say this: if you want your games to be dark and gritty and serious, then this is not the game for you. It is totally a tongue-in-cheek, light hearted, not to be taken too seriously, fun experience with a very solid real rpg core. The opening dialogue made me laugh, not just because it was inherently funny, but because it was also so realistic. It reminded me totally of the dialogues we have every week in our regular Dungeons & Dragons Online gaming session as we begin a new quest or dungeon; I could have sworn that Jay was secretly taping some of our sessions without our knowledge.
While the characters begin the game as a particular character type, as you level up each character you are able to modify, or even change completely the way they develop. Some examples: I tried Arianna as a 2 handed blade specialist and eventually made her a 2 weapon specialist with axe and dagger. After making sure Dirk would be able to disarm most traps I turned him into a secondary healer with a few very powerful damage spells as well. I could have made the fighter into a mage and the mage into more of a fighter if I had wished to do so, but I didn't.
This is probably a good place to address the issue of magic in the game. There are four somewhat different types; three of the Priestly persuasion and one arcane. A character may only learn one of the cleric schools, but could if they so choose also learn the arcane line as well. The first thing you notice about all the various types is that they have delightfully different spell names ranging from Hellacious Angry Flowers to Power Word Defenestrate (a personal favourite of mine with an excellent animation). Half the fun is reading the spell descriptions and watching some of the animations. The arcane are predominantly attacking spells while the priestly are more buffing, healing with only limited attack possibilities. I tried only 2 of the cleric lines, but did develop strong feelings about them.
Let me preface these remarks by saying that they are my personal feelings based on my play style and someone with a different approach would likely disagree. My only major disagreement with the design decisions taken by Jay was with making Benjamin a Nature-based cleric. I found these spells completely underwhelming and Jay has promised to beef them up. They are predominantly buffing spells and that does not fit my play style - I much preferred the Divine school I gave Dirk. I not only found them better for healing, but they had a few spells I loved such as Wake Up (you get hit by a lot of sleep spells) and Shred the Dead. I would have chosen to have this as the default school for the main cleric character - make sure you give it to one of the other three just as soon as you can.
Combat is turn-based and while you may face anything from one to six enemies, the average number is four. Rarely do you see the enemy in advance, usually they either just appear, or they are behind a dungeon door once you open it. Depending on which skills you select during level ups, you might sometimes get advance notice of enemies and can choose to either fight them or avoid them. Once combat begins you have several choices each turn. You may attack, defend, rest, cast a spell, use an item in your personal inventory, or attempt to flee. Some skills and spells may also permit you to take more than one turn in a round. The rounds are fairly quick and each battle usually doesn't take too long. Depending on your weapon type or the spell(s) you choose to cast, you may select any of the enemies you face as your target. This is the only practical use for ranged weapons in the game which is why I ended up never using any though I ended up with several. A healer can cast healing spells during combat and the enemy will do that as well. Some will even use very powerful grenades, so watch out. Be sure to save when you think a fight is imminent.
Hopefully, at some point you will have a party wipe. Why? One of the funniest dialogue sequences in the entire game occurs when everyone in your party is incapacitated. Make sure you read it all the way through at least once. Once a character is incapacitated, they are out of the fight and can't be healed. Afterwards, they will either need to take a special potion, or rest in a bed. While you can 'rest' anywhere, it can be dangerous as wandering patrols may discover you and attack. However, usable beds are rare. Aside from the Inn found in the local village, there are only two others places with beds you can use and you have to discover them for yourself.
One of the benefits of both exploration and combat is that you find loot bags, chests, or hidden caches. These will provide you with both cash and equipment you can either use or sell. There are several merchants in the game where you can buy or sell, but only one in the village who doesn't seem to restock. You will be limited to him in the earliest parts of the game while you do a few local quests to build up experience and levels before tackling the more challenging areas of the game. While it is possible to skip many of the early village quests in order to open up other areas of the game more quickly, it is not advisable: you will need those extra levels and skills. You only get either 1 or 2 skill points a level (they alternate) and there are many to choose from including upgrading attributes, learning magic, being able to wear different types of armor, gaining skill with different types of weapons, or noticing approaching enemies before they can attack you. I was level 12 when I finished the game, but I could likely have made level 13 if I'd fought every possible battle. That's about 18 total skill points per character, and some skills require 2 points to learn. Choose carefully.
While the structure of the game is somewhat linear in that new areas open up only after certain quests have been fulfilled, not only will you need to revisit these areas, but there is no need to finish every quest in each area before moving on. I found it necessary to return to some dungeons many times. However, there is very little exploration available in all but the main town. After you discover the two or three dungeons which each area holds, there's not much else to do but enter and explore each of these. Within these very different dungeons you'll find a mix of fighting, exploration, puzzle solving and even a few extra quests. Some are quite small, while others have several levels to wander through. I think Goblinville offered the most variety; there was much to accomplish. While there is some walking involved, there are points in each area which allow you to 'fast travel' to a different area within the game, once that particular area has been opened. While it's possible to basically 'clear out' each area and dungeon, there are random respawns or encounters no matter where you are. Often these will occur while you are either searching, or resting. Be warned.
Quests have variety ranging from simple find me this item, to complex, puzzle filled ones which can take several hours to complete. Most have an element of humour attached to them and several poke fun at traditional RPG fare. The puzzles, while not overly challenging, do add an extra dimension to certain quests. Fortunately, if you pay attention, there are enough hints available that no-one should be completely stumped. It should also be noted that many have more than one possible solution, including a few which are non-violent in nature.
One innovation in the game which I really enjoyed was the use of Drama Stars and I don't mean Patrick Stewart. There are 3 multi-pointed stars at the top of the screen which slowly fill up with three colourful layers (bronze, silver and gold) as you win fights, or complete simple tasks. These in turn offer you bonuses you can use in the game. There are four possible rewards at each level, for a total of 12. For example, one allows you to restore a character's 'energy' which may have been depleted through fighting, or spell casting. At the third tier, it will restore this energy for all the characters. It's a simple and elegant system, but with a twist. If you save and quit the game, you have the option next time to 'Continue' your previous game from where you saved and your stars will be intact. However, if you save, lose a fight and then reload; all your stars will be lost. This encourages players to avoid the save/reload cycle. There is risk/reward involved, but I liked it and used it.
It's often helpful to consider previous games which are similar when trying to determine if this is a game for you. There aren't many turn-based, old school RPGs being made anymore, but while it doesn't have its depth, richness, or tedious never-ending combat, the closest game I could compare it with would be Wizardry 8. If you enjoyed that game, I think you'll like this one.
In conclusion. This is a game I've really wanted to like for a long time. However, I don't, I love it! It was a breath of fresh air poured into a genre, which sadly has become almost stale in its approach. Sure, it's not going to win any prizes for graphics; it's an Indie game using the Torque engine, which while adequate isn't in the same universe graphically as games like Skyrim, but unless graphics mean far more to you than gameplay, engaging characters, and sheer enjoyment, then you owe it to yourself to buy Frayed Knights. I've started about 8 new games in the past few months, but I've only managed to finish one. You can guess by the number of reviews I haven't written, which one it was.
On to the next page for Skavenhorde's view...
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Information about
Frayed KnightsDeveloper: Rampant Games
SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: RPG
Combat: Turn-based
Play-time: 20-40 hours
Voice-acting: None
Regions & platforms
· Homepage
· Platform: PC
· Released: 2011-09-28
· Publisher: Rampant Games
More information


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Press release
From UNC Asheville News Services
Junior Walk, a West Virginia native who travels the country speaking out against mountaintop-removal mining on behalf of the Keeper of the Mountains Foundation, will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, in UNC Asheville's Highsmith University Union, Alumni Hall. Walk was a 2011 recipient of the Earth Island Institute's Brower Youth Award for Environmental Leadership.
Walk's talk completes two days of informational activities about the impact of coal mining on West Virginia's environment – the award-winning documentary "On Coal River," will be screened at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, in the Highsmith Union Grotto. The film's Asheville-based filmmakers, Francine Cavanaugh and Adams Wood, will discuss the film after the screening.
Both events are free and open to the public, presented by UNC Asheville Cultural Events & Special Academic Programs, with more information at cesap.unca.edu/upcoming-events or 828/251-6991.


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Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more.
The Fort Pierce Police Department operates under the leadership of Chief Diane Hobley-Burney, who is responsible for its overall direction. The philosophy of the department is to use a community partnership approach to make the City of Fort Pierce a safer, better place to live and work. The department is committed to protecting the community and pledges to exhibit that commitment fairly, impartially, and professionally, within the laws of the State of Florida and the City of Fort Pierce.
The police department is organized into two Divisions and three Bureaus. There are 126 sworn officers and 36 non-sworn civilian personnel.
Our goal is to improve the quality of life of our citizens while working in a cooperative effort with all residents to resolve problems. Therefore, we are devoted to practicing the concepts of Community Oriented Policing (COP), proactive law enforcement, and crime-prevention.
We are committed to respecting human dignity and to a strong ethical code as custodians of law and order. The members of this organization are commanded to exercise the highest degree of public service in their daily contact with our citizens.
Fort Pierce police officers will endeavor:


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Rabbit Hour - Chinese Horoscope
The Rabbit Hour - 5.00 am to 6.59 am
Straightforward, gentle, well manners and graceful. Always correct and diplomatic. Prefers to walk away from arguments.
Have good social contacts. Tends to conceal emotional nature and rarely express them openly.
Will not hesitate to manipulate situations and people to his advantage.
- Hits: 64831


text: Markup Markup: Title With Markup January 5, 2016 by Joe Doe Verify that: The post title renders the word "with" in italics and the word "markup" in bold. The post title markup should be removed from the browser window / tab. Edge Case: Nested And Mixed Lists Markup: Title With Special Characters css html title


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As social media continues to evolve and expand, the business world has been hard pressed to keep up. Not only must businesses be concerned about what is appropriate for employees to post about their company within social networks, both at work and privately, but they also need to be mindful of a whole host of murky legal issues, such as how social media can be used to screen job applicants. Taken from a different angle, a business' policies on social media usage can set clear guidelines that direct employees on how they can use social media to achieve business goals.
That said, if you are creating a social media policy in your business for the first time or you need to make a major overhaul on your existing policy, there are many resources online that can help you along the way. The following list are some of the best out there. Just make sure that you also consult with a qualified legal professional before you initiate any policies on social media usage in your business.
Sample Social Media Policies
Social Media Policies Directory
Informative Articles on Social Media Policies from Around the Web
Social Media History Becomes a New Job Hurdle– New York Times
10 Tips for Creating a Social Media Policy for Your Business– Social Media Examiner
Legal Response to Newcomers' Concerns in Launching Social Media Campaigns– kbhilferlaw.com
Tips for Updating Your Company's Social Media Policy– Mashable
Acting General Counsel releases report on social media cases– National Labor Relations Board
How to Write a Social Media Policy– Inc
Does Your Social Media Policy Violate Federal Law?– Social Media Today
How to Develop a Social Media Policy– About.com
Other Helpful Online Social Media Resources
Policy Tool Generator for Social Media


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- This event has passed.
Nevada County Javascript
January 17, 2019 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Join our Slack channel here: ncjs.slack.com
What we'll do
Welcome to Nevada County JavaScript. We are a weekly meetup designed as a support group and a space to learn more about JavaScript–the web programming language which is still expanding and ever changing. Front-end coders, backend coders, UI/UXers and anyone wanting to share in the learning of the JavaScript language, please join us. If you are a true beginner, check out Nevada County Free Code Camp, as they do a meetup as well. But if you have tinkered with JavaScript, and want to learn more, this is the place to be.
What to bring
Your computer, charged.
Important to know
Unfortunately, at the moment, we can't accommodate children. Carpool if possible!


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Researchers have developed a way to use three types of microscopic imaging techniques simultaneously to analyze living tissue and learn more about the molecular mechanisms of multiple sclerosis, information that could help lead to earlier detection and new treatments.
The combined imaging method is enabling the researchers to study how multiple sclerosis causes an overproduction of "astroglial filaments," which form bundles between critical nerve fibers and interfere with proper spinal cord functioning. The technique also promises to yield new information about how the disease degrades the myelin sheath, which insulates nerve fibers and enables them to properly conduct impulses in the spinal cord, brain and in the "peripheral nervous system" throughout the body, said Ji-Xin Cheng, an assistant professor in Purdue University's Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Chemistry.
The three imaging techniques - called sum frequency generation, two-photon-excitation fluorescence and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering - ordinarily are used alone. Purdue researchers have developed a way to combine all three methods in the same platform, promising to reveal new details about the spinal cord and myelin sheath, Cheng said.
"Combining these three methods allows us to conduct more specific and precise molecular analyses," he said. "Ultimately, this work paves the way toward studying the degradation of the myelin sheath as a result of multiple sclerosis and analyzing living tissue to study the mechanisms of disease."
Multiple sclerosis affects more than 350,000 people in the United States and 2 million worldwide.
Findings will be detailed in a paper appearing in May in the Biophysical Journal and is currently online. The paper was authored by biomedical engineering doctoral student Yan Fu and postdoctoral research associate Haifeng Wang; Riyi Shi, an associate professor of basic medical science in Purdue's School of Veterinary Medicine and also an associate professor of biomedical engineering; and Cheng.
Shi, a member of Purdue's Center for Paralysis Research, specializes in spinal cord and brain trauma and chronic neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.
"We are using a unique and powerful combination of technologies to uncover the mechanisms of multiple sclerosis," Shi said. "We hope to one day establish an effective intervention to not only slow down, but even possibly reverse the development of this disease, which will potentially have profound economic and social impacts on this nation and the world."
Because the imaging techniques work without using dyes to "label" cells and structures, they can be used to study living tissues, representing a major advantage over conventional microscopic imaging technologies.
Raman microscopy, an imaging technique invented more than three decades ago, cannot be used effectively to study living tissue because the extremely weak "Raman scattering" signals require hours to yield an image, whereas coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering, or CARS, overcomes this limitation, Cheng said.
"CARS microscopy permits label-free imaging of specific molecules with a speed of one frame per second or even faster," he said.
CARS imaging takes advantage of the fact that molecules vibrate at specific frequencies. In a CARS microscope, two laser beams are overlapped to produce a single beam having a new frequency representing the difference between the original two beams. This new frequency then drives specific molecules to vibrate together "in phase," amplifying the Raman signals from those molecules.
"It's like pushing someone on a swing," Cheng said. "If you push in synch with the upswing, the swing will go higher. That's the same as being in phase."
Sum frequency generation imaging does just the opposite, adding the frequencies of the two original beams, producing a new signal with a frequency that is the sum of the original beams.
The third imaging technique, two-photon excitation fluorescence, provides higher contrast and brighter images than conventional fluorescent imaging methods. Photons are the individual particles that make up light. In two-photon excitation fluorescence, two photons are used to illuminate a target.
The researchers have used the imaging methods to observe living spinal tissue extracted from guinea pigs. The technique of extracting the tissue and then keeping it alive long enough to analyze was developed in Shi's lab.
Conventional microscopic imaging techniques require samples to be labeled with dyes, killing the tissues in the process. Being able to analyze living tissue could allow researchers to determine the molecular mechanisms responsible for multiple sclerosis and other conditions, Cheng said.
The myelin sheath is made of molecules called lipids, which consist of a head and tail segment. The new findings show that images can reveal whether the orientation of the chemical bonds in these lipid molecules is "scrambled," when the myelin sheath is unhealthy and degraded from disease, Cheng said.
"We can see the myelin sheath with CARS, and that's great, but it's not enough," Cheng said. "We also want to study other molecules and see the interactions between cells."
Researchers simultaneously took images of astroglial filaments, critical components of structures called astrocyte processes, which provide structural support for the nerve fibers in a spinal column. The sum frequency generation imaging reveals details about the astroglial filaments.
Two-photon excitation fluorescence reveals information about the influx of calcium into cells, which causes damage to nerve fibers.
"So, having all three of these imaging methods in the same platform enables us to study many elements of the disease process simultaneously in the same tissue samples," Cheng said.
Researchers hope one day to use the combined approach to design a "minimally invasive" system for diagnosing patients in the hospital or doctor's office, he said.
"There are two directions of this research," Cheng said. "One is to study the mechanisms of disease, and that should form the foundation for designing new treatments. The other is to keep pushing the technology to make it less and less invasive, which will help in the early detection of multiple sclerosis."
The astroglial filaments also are involved in producing scar tissues following trauma injuries to the central nervous system, so a better understanding of their workings could lead to new treatments for repairing damage caused in accidents.
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For eight seasons, Jerry Ferrara played the lovable and relatable Turtle on HBO's "Entourage." We watched him pick up girls, set bets with Drama, and live the Hollywood life for 96 episodes. But that was a long time ago, and while fans have been waiting patiently for the soon-to-be "Entourage" movie, Ferrara has been busy acting and starring in films like "Lone Survivor," "Last Vegas," and "Think Like A Man."
Of his latest film, the Mark Wahlberg-starring "Lone Survivor," a military drama inspired by real events— a project that he very much wanted to be part of—Ferrara says, "Make sure you don't have anything light and fun to do afterwards, because you're going to be a little dark after you watch that movie."
"Lone Survivor" shows a side of Ferrara we've never really seen—the serious side he'll bring out again in the upcoming Arturo Gatti biopic, produced by Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson.
The native New Yorker offers some tips on how to keep your acting career moving forward while enjoying every second of it.
Embrace the role you're most known for.
If you ask Ferrara how he feels about having played Turtle for nearly a decade, you'll get a response that every die-hard "Entourage" fan would be thrilled to hear. Ferrara says that initially, when the show was coming to an end he was concerned about always being known as Turtle, but he's since embraced it. "That show has brought me so many amazing opportunities. Really, I wouldn't be talking to you right now if not for that show," he says.
"If you look at the state of the business now you have guys and girls starring on TV shows, doing movies, and they have a podcast and a web series. It used to be that if you were a TV actor you didn't really do movies, but there are so many avenues to kind of break out of something, so I don't even think it's really that much of a worry anymore," he says. "We had the luxury of knowing when the show was going to end, so I kind of started my quote unquote breakaway transformation as the show was ending."
Push for passion projects.
When Ferrara heard about "Lone Survivor," the 2013 film based on Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell and the 2005 mission "Operation Red Wings," he knew immediately that he wanted to be a part of it. Having known director Peter Berg on a friendly basis for years, Ferrara asked to read for him early, put himself on tape and sent it over. "He said I did a good job but you're too old," says Ferrara—this was the first time he'd ever been "too old" for anything in his career. But Ferrara made it clear that he loved the project, and Berg eventually took a few small roles, welded them into one, and offered it to Ferrara.
"It's such a good, important, special story that I would have really done anything in there that he asked me to do," Ferrara says. "I read it and was blown away that these events really happened. I just wanted to be a part of it. It's not a career thing or an acting thing—this is telling a story about real life superheroes."
Keep it professional.
At the same time he was filming "Lone Survivor," Ferrara was also filming "Last Vegas," the comedy starring Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Kline. These being two drastically different projects, Ferrara knew he had to act accordingly. "I would go from 'Vegas' which is this light, funny comedy to New Mexico where no one had shaved in three months, and I would have to remind myself to not even try to be funny. Then I would go back to 'Vegas' and be kind of quiet and dark and everyone's like 'Jerry, what's wrong? Lighten up.' " he says.
"It was just more of a professional thing, and showing up to New Mexico where there are real Navy SEALs, real marines all over supporting the movie and you just want to get it right. You want to do them justice," he says. "That was more of a show up, do your job, and don't mess it up—just being a professional adult."
Don't be afraid of your nerves.
"I think a lot of times actors can get in their own way just cause of their own nerves. Whether you're doing a play, or a student film, or an episode of 'Entourage,' if you're a little nervous just feel that, enjoy it and just know that's exactly how you're supposed to feel," he says.
Ferrara insists that if something makes him nervous, then he knows it's going to be great. "I look at opportunities now, like this Arturo Gatti biopic makes me terrified, and that's how I know it's going to be great."
Work hard and kill it every time.
From working with various stars and friends like Mark Wahlberg, Ferrara has learned many invaluable lessons. Ferrara says, "It doesn't matter what level you're at—you still gotta work hard. Mark could be on cruise control if he so chose right now for the rest of his career, but that guy works harder than anybody I know, and that's probably because there's a vision there—he sees what he wants himself to be at the end."
Another tip Ferrara got is from his and Wahlberg's manager, Stephen Levinson. "You just gotta kill it—even the smallest, tiniest, what you think is not important scene—find something and just kill it, and bring it Level 10 every single time."
Read Backstage.
Okay, Ferrara really did offer this tip. "Read Backstage. Believe me, I used to tear through that paper, boy. Oh my God—tear through it. I couldn't wait for that new issue," he says. "That's the other thing I'll say—get Backstage the second it comes out and tear through it. I used to wait for it. It's a true story! Ask my mom; she used to yell at me for having Backstage papers all over the place!"
Rebecca Strassberg is the digital editor of Backstage. Follow her on Twitter @strassbooger.


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The debate over whether or not MESSA is an "agent" of the MEA merits special attention. Because it is a public employee union, the Michigan Education Association is supposedly regulated by the Public Employment Relations Act (PERA) of 1947, although it has little regard for this Act.100 PERA was designed to govern the conduct of public sector labor unions in regards to strikes, workers' rights, bargaining duties, and contract negotiations. The practice of a public employee union establishing subsidiary corporations was not explicitly addressed in PERA or related legislation. As a result, a complicated legal question has arisen as to whether or not a union's subsidiaries are also regulated by PERA. This question is now being considered in the case of IEA/MEA and MESSA v. St. Clair Intermediate School District, which is pending before the Michigan Court of Appeals. Specifically, the issue at stake is whether MESSA is an agent of the MEA and therefore subject to the same regulations as the MEA.
Before any unfair labor practice charge can be brought against MESSA, the law must ascertain that MESSA is the agent of a labor organization-the MEA. Otherwise, MESSA is not subject to the jurisdiction of PERA. Due to the significant marketing role that MESSA has in the collective bargaining process, it was inevitable that an unfair labor practice charge would arise, as demonstrated in the aforementioned case. In that particular case, MESSA unilaterally increased the lifetime maximum benefit of its insurance plans without consulting its customer school districts. Under the changed system, MESSA members could receive up to $2 million in lifetime benefits rather than the previous $1 million limit.
The St. Clair Intermediate School District contends that MESSA has an obligation to negotiate such changes with school districts, because MESSA is the agent of a labor union. MESSA, on the other hand, contends that while it is owned by the MEA, it conducts business independently of the MEA. Based upon the "synonymy" between the organizations, the symbiotic relationship between the officers, and the degree of control exercised by the MEA, the administrative law judge established that MESSA is an agent of the MEA, subject to control by the MEA.101 The first appeal of the case affirmed this finding of fact.
The law of agency is based upon common law principles of control. Before the Court of Appeals can rule that MESSA is an agent of the MEA, it must determine that the MEA has the ability to control MESSA, that MESSA has the authority to act for the MEA, and that there is a definitive relationship between these organizations.102 In requesting the appeal, MESSA argued that "corporate control does not mean that the controlled entity acts as an agent of the parent entity for all purposes."103
The forthcoming decision from the Court of Appeals will set a precedent for future judgments relating to MESSA. If the decision is upheld that MESSA is an agent of the MEA, it will clear the way for current and future unfair labor practice charges which are brought against MESSA. However, if this decision is reversed, the consequences would be devastating to public school districts which contend that MESSA has violated their rights as parties to an agreement. MESSA would be given the means to alter its insurance agreements without the consent of school districts, since it will have no duty to bargain with school districts once a labor contract has been signed. If MESSA loses the case, however, it would mean that the MEA is legally liable for the actions of MESSA, which contradicts one purpose of having corporate subsidiaries-to spread risk and limit the liability of the parent corporation. Either way, the results will be a serious blow to the losing party.


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The MOST Theological Collection: Mary in Our Life
"Chapter VII: The Queenship of Mary"
THE BEGINNINGS of the concept of Mary as Queen appear very early: the opening chapter of St. Luke's Gospel contains clear implications of her Queenship. In the account of the Annunciation, we read that Mary's Son is to be King forever, and Elizabeth at the Visitation salutes her as "the Mother of my Lord." Now if her Son is both Lord and King, surely Mary must be of queenly rank.
The Fathers of the Church were not long in developing these implications. For example, a text that is probably by Origen (+ 254) gives Mary the title Domina.1 Domina is merely the feminine form of the Latin word for Lord, Dominus. We commonly translate it merely as "Lady," but in its fullest sense the word stands for "Sovereign Lady." The same title Domina also appears in many other early writers, such as St. Ephraem, St. Jerome, and St. Peter Chrysologus.2 The word "queen" itself makes its appearance about the sixth century, and becomes common thereafter.3
But there is no need to seek for proof of Mary's queenship. The conclusion is obvious, and spontaneously flows from the dogmatic truths about Mary that we have already learned. It is an idea thoroughly familiar to us in our prayers, such as the Hail, Holy Queen, which we recite after every low Mass.
We may, however, seek to penetrate more deeply into the nature of Mary's Queenship. First of all, we must note that the titles of king and queen may be bestowed in either a metaphorical or a literal sense. In a metaphorical sense, we confer them upon those beings that excel in some way. Thus, for example, we call the lion the king of beasts, the rose the queen of flowers. It is obvious that Mary deserves the title of Queen in this broad sense of the word, for she is the highest of all mere creatures.
But not only in this loose, metaphorical sense is Mary a Queen: in the strictest literal sense also she is a Queen-and for many good reasons, which we shall discuss. Before doing so, however, we may note certain inadequate reasons that have been proposed. These inadequate reasons posit Mary's Queenship: 1. By right of natural inheritance; 2. By right of original justice; 3. By her relationship to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Some theologians have reasoned thus: Mary is the daughter of David, King of Israel, and Jesus is of the same line. Hence, Jesus and Mary have a hereditary right to the throne of Israel. These theologians forget that not every child of a king becomes a king or a queen. Furthermore, it seems likely that Mary descended from David, not through Solomon, who inherited the throne, but through Nathan, who did not inherit it.4 Thus it seems that a claim to merely temporal royalty for Jesus and Mary must be abandoned; but even if such a claim could be proved, it would be a poor title indeed to use for the King and Queen of Heaven.
The second inadequate reason for Mary's Queenship is her freedom from original sin. Some have argued that Adam and Eve possessed a domination over all things, according to the words of God in the book of Genesis:
Now, it is argued, Mary was in the same position of innocence in which Adam and Eve were first created. We readily admit this,6 and recall the New Eve parallel. But the royalty of Adam and Eve was largely metaphorical. Adam was the first head of the race in the sense that all were to descend from him and to inherit God's gifts through him. But he was not king in the sense of having legislative, executive, and judicial power over all humans. We note that the text of Genesis speaks of domination over animals, but not over human beings. There is no mention of a domination over all mankind.
The third inadequate reason is Mary's relationship to the Father and the Holy Spirit. She is rightly called the eldest daughter of the Father, and the spouse of the Holy Spirit. Hence, it is argued, she shares in their royalty. A perfectly valid argument for the Queenship of Mary can be drawn from her relation to the Son, as we shall see, but her relation to her Son is much different from her relation to the other two Persons of the Holy Trinity. To the Son she is related by real consanguinity, in the first degree and in the direct line; whereas her relations to the Father and the Holy Spirit are only relations of affinity. Therefore, it would seem that although this relation to the other two Persons is indeed glorious, and gives her a peerless eminence, the tide of royalty it confers would be more metaphorical than literal.
Now that we have disposed of these inadequate reasons, it is time to search for the real, the adequate reasons for Mary's title of queen. We are indeed fortunate in that Pope Pius XII had, in recent years, given us a very clear statement on the matter. We have already seen part of it in an earlier chapter, for a related purpose. But it is necessary here to examine it in more detail:
Let us analyze this beautiful passage. Pope Pius XII begins by giving the titles by which Christ is King. He is King "by nature and by right of conquest." The Incarnate Word, Christ, is one Person (the Second Person of the Holy Trinity) in two natures: divine and human. These two natures are united in such a way that the two natures remain distinct and not confused; yet there is only one Person. We call this state "hypostatic union." It is necessary to use a special term to describe it, since there is no other example of this kind of union. The union of body and soul to form a mere human being is in a way similar, but, in an ordinary human being, the person is composed of the two elements in such a way that before the union took place, the person did not exist. In the hypostatic union, the Person, a divine Person, always existed, even before the union, from all eternity.
Now Christ, by virtue of the hypostatic union, is King "by nature," for in the fullest and strictest sense of the word, God Himself is the absolute King of all creatures. But in Christ there is only one Person, a divine Person. By very nature that divine Person is King of all. So much for the first title "by nature." As to the second, "by right of conquest," we have already commented on it in chapter III. We noted that it referred to the fact that Christ, by His death, bought the human race back from the captivity of the devil. Hence, having reconquered all, Christ is King "by right of conquest."
In explaining Mary's Queenship, the Pope set down at the outset that she is Queen only "through Him, with Him, and subordinate to Him." This qualification is obvious and needs no explanation. Mary's Queenship is fundamentally a participation in the royalty of her Son. But Pope Pius XII went into detail for us by specifying the precise titles on which her royalty rests: "By grace, by divine relationship, by right of conquest, and by singular election." Let us consider each title separately.
In saying that Mary is Queen by grace, we have a reason that is valid in both the metaphorical and the literal sense. For Mary is full of grace; yet, as we have explained in chapter II, her capacity and her actual degree of grace continued to grow at a staggering rate throughout her whole life. She is not merely of a wonderfully higher degree of grace than all other creatures, her dignity belongs to the hypostatic order, for it was in her womb that the hypostatic union, in virtue of which her Son is King by nature, was accomplished.
Mary is Queen "by divine relationship." Again, the title is valid in both the broad and the strict sense. In the broad sense it includes Mary's relations to the Father, as His eldest daughter, and to the Holy Spirit, as His spouse-relations of affinity, yet immeasurably great But this divine relationship also, and especially, includes the fact that she is mother of the King. She is, as we have said, literally related to Him in the first degree, in the direct line of consanguinity. Further, since He had no human father, her relation is even more exclusive than that of other mothers. The objection is sometimes raised that, in earthly kingdoms, the queen-mother does not have royal power. This is true, but Mary is more than a mere queen-mother. For she is, as we have noted, the sole human parent. And, what is of special importance: earthly queen-mothers merely give birth to a child who later will become king. Mary gave birth to Him who by very nature, from the very beginning was and is King of all. Hence she is in a position much different from that of an earthly queen-mother.
The next title "by right of conquest" has already been explained in chapter III. We noted that it is parallel to the same title mentioned for the Kingship of Christ-with the proper subordination. It uses the very same words. In reference to Christ, the title is quite familiar: it refers to His redemptive death, the very focal point and essential part of the Redemption. Therefore, in the case of Mary, it must express a co-operation in precisely the same thing: in the redemptive sacrifice on Calvary itself. In other words, it refers to Mary's immediate co-operation in what we have called the objective redemption (the great atonement and once-for-all earning of all graces). Pope Pius XII himself gave us the necessary qualification: "Through Him, with Him, and subordinate to Him." We should not presume to add any others.
It is possible to become a temporal king or queen by choice of the people. Jesus and Mary were rejected by their people, but the Father in Heaven accepted them. The second psalm speaks of the appointment of the Messias as King over Sion-meaning, of course, not merely the earthly Sion, but all men:
Mary likewise is Queen by divine appointment, by special choice ("singular election") of the Father.
How extensive is Mary's domain? Pope Pius XII tells us: "And her kingdom is as vast as that of her Son and God, since nothing is excluded from her dominion." Mary rules over the earth: all graces are distributed through her hands. No request that she makes of her Son, the King, is ever refused. She rules over Purgatory: she prompts the faithful on earth to pray for them. She herself applies to them the fruits of the Redemption earned by both Jesus and herself in co-operation. Her Queenship extends even to Hell. The demons are powerless against her. It is especially humiliating for the devil to be beaten by her, for, although he must rightly expect to suffer defeat at the hands of God Himself, it is galling that a mere creature should also foil him so thoroughly. Finally, her Queenship extends to Heaven itself. All who enjoy Heaven do so by virtue of the graces earned by Jesus and Mary in co-operation, as we have seen. Even the just of the Old Law were saved only in anticipation of the merits of Calvary, in which she co-operated. She also contributes to the accidental blessedness of those in Heaven. For though the essential joy there is the direct vision of God, there is accidental happiness also from the presence of the angels and saints, whose Queen is Mary.
Hence we may say that Mary is Queen of all things,9 without limit to her domain, in the strict sense of the word. Let us thank God for giving us a Queen who is par excellence the "Mother of Mercy."


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By Fred Baker | Water — Facts, issues, problems and solutions is not an easy book — but then water isn't easy to understand. In fact, it's downright weird.
Geologist David Leaman says if you want to understand how liquids behave, don't study water.
The scope of the book is limited mostly to Tasmania, which is not noted in as suffering much of a water problem. Actually, it suffers from almost all the problems driving the catastrophe on the mainland and, given its small size, Tasmania is an ideal case study because of its geological and hydrological variety. It's the Australian canary, warning us of dangers before we can smell them.


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Holly's Oatmeal of Torrington, CT now is featured at the InterContinental New York Barclay's Natural Power Breakfast buffet.
Boulder, CO-based Justin's, maker of all-natural nut butter,announced on Earth Day a renewed commitment to seeking out biodegradable packaging for its squeeze packs.
Novato, CA-based The Republic of Tea launched a new Web site, www.RepublicofTea.com, dedicated to tea education,informative tea-focused videos and The Citizen's Tea Library—a fully integrated tea-knowledge center.
Indianapolis, IN-headquartered Endangered Species Chocolate's organic product line has become the first line of
chocolate bars to obtain "Non-GMO Project Verified" status. All products will feature the Non-GMO Project seal on their labels later this year, making it easy for consumers to recognize these items as independently verified non-GMO choices.
Barbara's Bakery of Petaluma, CA celebrated its "Almost 40" birthday at Natural Products Expo West with the debut of a natural makeover featuring new packaging, products, increased Web presence and an ad campaign.
Oakland, CA-based The Full Plate, a Bay Area–based meal preparation service, is now available at Whole Foods Markets.
Ann Arbor, MI-based NSF International announced the winners of the 2010 Food Safety Leadership Awards. The winners received their awards at the 2010 Food Safety Summit in Washington, D.C. on April 14th. The complete list of winners can be viewed at www.nsf.org.
Men's Health magazine chose Clinton, MI-based Eden Foods' Organic Spicy Pumpkin Seeds as one of the 20 Best Organic Foods for Men in the April 2010 issue; the top choice in the Best Fiery Snack category. The company also has been commended with a "Green Packy Award" based on the Responsible Packaging Guidelines for the Organic Industry, a collaboration headed by Whole Foods Markets Green Mission's Responsible Packaging Forum in recognition of its use
of bisphenol A-free cans in all 33 of its organic bean varieties. In addition, the company's EDENSOY has become the first soymilk in North America to be verified compliant with the Non-GMO Project's standards.
Knoxville, TN-based Papaw Tom's Foods, Inc. announced a partnership for its line of Southern-inspired products with KeHE Food Distributors.
Published in WholeFoods Magazine, June 2010


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2001: A Space Odyssey (United Kingdom/United States, 1968)
Perhaps it takes the passage of time to gain the perspective to call some films great. Certain movies, despite being ridiculed upon their initial release, have been "re-discovered" years later and labeled as forgotten classics. It's a universal truth that art isn't always immediately recognized as such - this is why so many revered painters, authors, and composers have died in poverty and relative obscurity. Filmmakers face some of the same challenges - in a business climate, courage is the number one characteristic needed by anyone with the goal of fashioning a work that is deliberately thought-provoking but lacking in mass appeal. Such idealistic intentions won't inflate any director's bank account, but they may make an enduring statement. That brings us to the subject of this review: Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. Despite gaining additional adherents and growing more respected with each passing day, 2001 would likely be a failure if shown to a typical, MTV-weaned group of multiplex patrons. Watching this film demands two qualities that are sadly lacking in all but the most mature and sophisticated audiences: patience and a willingness to ponder the meaning of what's transpiring on screen. 2001 is awe inspiring, but it is most definitely not a "thrill ride." It is art, it is a statement, and it is indisputably a cinematic classic.
I was around in 1968 when 2001 was first released, but I wasn't old enough to be concerned with anything more substantive than bottles and sleep. However, in the intervening years, I have spoken to several individuals who attended premieres of the film. The level of anticipation surrounding 2001 was as high as that to accompany any cinematic event before or after. Not only had Kubrick developed the project in complete secrecy, but, with the space race in its final laps, the world was ready to inhale any whiff of science fiction. But 2001 did not satisfy everyone. In fact, the initial reaction could charitably be called mixed. While a minority of those in early audiences recognized that they had witnessed the birth of a masterpiece, many movie-goers were nonplused and confused. Several influential mainstream publications panned the film, and, while it was successful at the box office, it was not the blockbuster some had expected it to be. Yet 2001 did not die. Instead, its reputation grew, and, by the mid-'70s, it had become a Goliath.
I remember the first time I saw the movie. The year was 1981, and this country was in the post-Star Wars, early VCR era. Because of the rampant success of George Lucas' space opera, science fiction was once again in vogue. However, with home video still in its infancy, the opportunity did not exist for the average American to go to the nearest movie store, rent a few tapes, and pop them into the VCR. But many schools, striving to be on the cusp of technology in the name of education, owned video players, albeit of the bulky, unwieldy sort. My eighth grade teachers took advantage of the middle school's lone Betamax machine and arranged a showing of 2001 in an auditorium on an elevated 28" TV set. Their intentions were good, but the experience was anemic. Nevertheless, even under less-than-ideal circumstances, I recognized that there was something amazing about the movie. It was unlike anything I had previously seen on any screen, big or small. It was slow-moving, but there was a hypnotic quality to the proceedings. It would take the passage of three-quarters of a decade and another viewing (this time in a theatrical setting) before I began to qualify and quantify my impressions of 2001.
It's questionable which element of 2001 stands out the most clearly: the pacing, the music, or the visuals. In truth, the three are inseparable. Like a skilled chef, Kubrick blended them together to form a dish of incomparable excellence. They are unique ingredients, yet, once mixed, they can no longer be reconstituted into their original forms. For most movies, this is not the case, but that's one of many areas in which 2001 is an exception. Listening to a soundtrack of this film provokes an avalanche of images in the mind's eye. Can anyone who has seen 2001 listen to the Johann Strauss' "Blue Danube Waltz" and not think of the shuttle docking at the space station? And Richard Strauss' rousing, unforgettable "Also Spoke Zarathustra" has become synonymous with this picture. (In fact, "Zaruathustra" is often referred to as the "Theme from 2001".)
In terms of its approach to the science fiction genre, 2001 stands alone. This is a space-based movie without zooming spaceships, laser shootouts, or explosions. The action, to the degree that there is action, is viewed from a detached perspective. Spacecraft move (relatively) slowly, they do not zip around at the speed of light. The result is a cold, majestic motion picture, a movie that seeks to remind us of the vastness of space and our relatively insignificant place in it. Kubrick's intention with 2001 was not to thrill us with battles and pyrotechnics, but to daunt us with the realization of how much there is that we do not understand. The movie's slowness (and it is slow) not only allows us to absorb the images, music, and atmosphere, but provides the opportunity to think about the implications of what Kubrick is saying. As enjoyable as Star Wars is, it does not encourage deep introspection. 2001 demands it.
I can think of two other movies that have consciously borrowed aspects of Kubrick's 2001 style. (There may be others, but either I have forgotten them or I never knew about them to forget.) They are Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Contact. Both slowed their pace to awe the viewer with a cavalcade of visual images. It worked in the latter case but not in the former. In Contact, as in 2001, there are deep philosophical issues involved. Star Trek, however, was designed to be an action/adventure film. The movie's attempts at grandeur are ineffective because the special effects represent little more than a series of colorful images. The docking of the shuttle with the Enterprise in Star Trek: The Motion Picture was said to have been directly inspired by the "Blue Danube Waltz" section of 2001, yet the experience is not the same. The reason? In 2001, this sequence exists on its own. It is powerful and important in its own right. In Star Trek, it's a nicely-scored, impressive-looking, overlong transition sequence to get Admiral Kirk from Earth to his beloved ship.
2001 opens memorably in prehistoric times or during "The Dawn of Man", as the on-screen caption states. The sequence, which runs about 15 minutes, shows how ape-like creatures, after encountering an imposing black monolith (obviously the product of an alien technology), discover how to use the bones of an animal as a tool or a weapon. Like the Fruit of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden, this leads to a spurt of change and a fall from grace. Armed, primitive man becomes a danger not only to potential sources of food, but to himself.
There is a jump cut as a bone thrown high into the air becomes a orbiting nuclear device, pushing the movie's time frame ahead thousands of years. Now, the human race has evolved. No longer Earthbound, they have ventured into the nearby Solar System. Kubrick's depiction of space travel is far more believable, albeit less romantic, than the visions presented in Star Trek and countless other futuristic projects. Of course, things in the movie are ahead of where they are in reality circa 2001. But, having worked on the picture during the height of space mania, Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke can be forgiven mistaking the transient space enthusiasm of the '60s for a trend that would last the rest of the century. If it had, the "science fiction" of 2001 might be "science fact" today.
We encounter Dr. Heywood Floyd (William Sylvester), who is on his way to the moon to explore a strange, black monolith that has been discovered beneath the lunar surface. The object is broadcasting a signal in the direction of Jupiter, but no one understands why. The monolith's existence has become a matter of national security, and the reason for Dr. Floyd's arrival is a closely guarded secret. Accompanied by a group of respected scientists, he travels to the excavation site to examine the alien object.
2001's third and lengthiest segment takes us aboard the space ship Discovery, which is bound for Jupiter to determine the reason why the monolith is sending signals out there. On board are two human crewmen, David Bowman (Keir Dullea) and Frank Poole (Gary Lockwood), three cryogenically suspended scientists, and the "brain" of the craft, the HAL 9000 computer (voice of Douglas Rain), one of moviedom's famously insane electronic entities. Once the crew recognizes that HAL may be unstable, they plan to deactivate the machine. However, HAL fights back, and the duel of minds between Bowman and the computer makes for the film's most dramatically tense situation. It is also during this portion of the movie that 2001 offers its frankest moments of humor (of the gallows variety, as a doomed HAL questions Bowman about his intentions) and pathos (as Bowman shuts the computer down -- HAL's rendition of "Daisy", coupled with his refrain of "I'm scared, Dave," is touching).
The fourth and final portion of 2001, "Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite," generates the most questions. During these 20 minutes, Kubrick suggests man's place in the cosmos - that, although we think of ourselves as possessing godlike powers, we are actually low in the universal pecking order. The Discovery finds another monolith - only this one is much larger than its lunar counterpart and is floating in space. When Bowman takes a pod through it, he is catapulted into a space/time tunnel to a mysterious locale where he spends the rest of his life, reaching a ripe old age before expiring. At the time of his death, however, he is reborn as the "star child" - either the next stage in man's evolution or an entirely new life form.
Many viewers who understand 2001 through the first two hours leave the theater confused because the movie raises new questions during the last reel, when a conventional film would be providing solutions. However, for someone who enjoys the opportunity to ponder a filmmaker's intentions and delve deeply into a movie's subtext, the final act of 2001 is a godsend. Anyone desperate for concrete answers to some of the unresolved issues can check out 2010. Produced in 1984, 16 years after Kubrick's original reached theaters, 2010 is a conventional sequel. However, while it rehabilitates HAL and solves the riddle of the monoliths, it doesn't wrap everything into a neat package. 2010 is a decent continuation of 2001 (and is well worth a rental) - just don't expect it to have the Kubrickian depth or grandeur. In fact, viewing 2010 is a good way to appreciate how much Kubrick contributed to 2001.
As is true of every Kubrick film, the meticulous attention to detail is evident. Working in close concert with co-screenwriter Arthur C. Clarke and other scientific advisors, Kubrick made sure that every aspect of the film conformed to known scientific fact. His vision is eerily accurate, and, even though we have not attained Clarke's prophesied advancements, we are on the same track. Additionally, there isn't a moment in 2001 that seems dated. The film could just as easily have been made in the '90s as in the '60s.
The Academy Award-winning special effects represent some of the most impressive model work ever committed to screen. They are at least the equal, if not superior to, George Lucas' efforts in Star Wars. Today, visual effects are all about pushing the digital envelope, but there are times when it's worth looking back to how things were done in a simpler era, when technological limitations demanded greater creativity. Douglas Trumbull's accomplishments in 2001 represent an innovative pinnacle.
The tag line for Alien, which was released about a decade after 2001, was "In space, no one can hear you scream." In truth, however, nearly every space movie (including Alien) has ignored the fact that sound waves cannot travel through the vacuum between stars and planets. Consequently, Kubrick opted for silence, and the result is eerie and memorable. Every time there's a space sequence, no sound can be heard - except for the occasional strains of the classical compositions used on the soundtrack. Music is critical to every aspect of the movie's success - even when the story has been told. The "Blue Danube Waltz" plays over the end credits, which last about four minutes. However, the piece is more than eight minutes in length, so the director allows it to continue after the credits have concluded. This gives audience members an opportunity to mull over what they have just seen before returning to the bustle of everyday life.
From time-to-time, Kubrick worked with "name" actors (Peter Sellers in Lolita and Dr. Strangelove, Tom Cruise in Eyes Wide Shut, Jack Nicholson in The Shining), but the entire cast of 2001 is comprised of lesser-known performers. The reason is that this is not a character-based story. It's about experiences and ideas. The actors do competent jobs, but there are no true standouts. Douglas Rain, who provides the voice of HAL, is in many ways the most memorable, since his words and tone humanize the machine, transforming it into a tragic figure. HAL is the villain, but we can't help feeling a surge of sorrow for him, and his redemption in 2010 is welcome. Of the human performers, the one with the most screen time is Keir Dullea, whose Dave Bowman represents the focus of the third and fourth segments. Dullea's performance is non-emotive and mechanical, and it's interesting to note that HAL often seems more "human" than Dave. Following 2001, Dullea was offered a lot of work, much of it on television, but nothing high-profile. Similar statements can be made about Gary Lockwood (who is most recognizable for the starring role in the TV series, "The Lieutenant", which predated 2001 by five years) and William Sylvester (whose best roles were behind him).
2001 needs to be experienced to be appreciated. It loses something on a TV screen; even the best home video setup can't replicate what it's like to see the movie in a theater. 2001 does not build bonds between the viewers and the characters or set up a straightforward, linear storyline. Instead, it challenges the audience and inspires wonder. Proponents argue that this is Kubrick's best film; regardless of whether or not that is true, there's no doubting that this movie represents the product of a great director at the height of his powers. 32 years after its release, 2001 has lost none of the qualities that make it an acknowledged masterwork.
2001: A Space Odyssey (United Kingdom/United States, 1968)
Cast: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Douglas Rain (voice)
Screenplay: Stanley Kubrick & Arthur C. Clarke, based on
Cinematography: Geoffrey Unsworth
U.S. Distributor: MGM
U.S. Release Date: -
MPAA Rating: "PG" (Violence, Profanity)
Genre: SCIENCE FICTION
Subtitles: none
Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
- 2010 (1969)
- (There are no more better movies of Keir Dullea)
- (There are no more worst movies of Keir Dullea)
- (There are no more better movies of Gary Lockwood)
- (There are no more worst movies of Gary Lockwood)
- (There are no more better movies of William Sylvester)
- (There are no more worst movies of William Sylvester)


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2011 Honda Civic Sedan EX Review
Related Information: Honda Buyers Guide
2011 Honda Civic Sedan EX Review
It's an occupational hazard in my business. Halfway through my week with a 2011 Honda Civic EX Sedan, Honda announced an all-new ninth-generation Civic, to go on sale later this Spring.
Does that mean that there's no reason for interest in the 2011 Civic? Not at all. Well, if you absolutely must have the newest of everything, you might stop reading now. If you just want a comfortable, economical, not-so-small compact car with good performance and character, the current Civic is eminently worthy of consideration. And the end of a model run can be the best time to buy…
The eighth-generation Civic has been with us since model year 2006, and "successful" is almost understatement for its popularity. It's a class benchmark. There's something for every small-car need in the Civic lineup, with both coupe and sedan body styles and appointment levels from Spartan but comfortable in the DX to leather-equipped semi-luxury in the EX-L. Performance and fuel economy are not mutually-exclusive -- most models have a 140-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that easily goes over 30 miles per gallon on the highway. Need more go? That would be the Si, with a 197-hp 2.0-liter engine providing plenty. Less fuel? There's the Hybrid for that -- or the natural gas-powered GX, the only dedicated natural gas vehicle available to retail customers.
A 2011 Civic EX Sedan with navigation system has been my test car for the past week. Honda seems to consider major options like nav systems and leather interiors separate models, with dealer-added interior, exterior, and electronic accessories. That's good logic that keeps life simple, from the assembly line to dealer inventory. This particular one had only what it came off the assembly line with, and was not lacking in any way. Small enough outside for easy maneuverability and parking and much roomier inside that that size would indicate at a glance, it's a solid, comfortable, economical car that is far more than "basic transportation". Power is not a problem in everyday driving, even with the automatic. The standard suspension is comfort-oriented, which should please most customers. A sport conversion is available for those who want something a bit firmer. "All things to all people" is too often a recipe for disastrous compromise. That's not true with the Honda Civic.
APPEARANCE: If it looked a bit futuristic when it debuted, the current Civic's styling has worn well. "Box" applies to the shape not at all. From the side it's almost a "one-arch" design, with a short hood, well-raked windshield that makes the long passenger cabin seem even longer, and a short, high trunk.At the front, the chrome-crossbar Honda grille is flanked by long, low headlamps, and the lower intake hints at a race car splitter, without being so low as to scrape at every opportunity. Low fenders and a prominent lower character line define the sides, while the rear is dominated by large wraparound taillights.
COMFORT: The interior space suggested by the Civic's exterior styling is delivered. And despite the large expanse of windshield, glare is not a problem thanks to careful design and use of textured gray material on the top of the instrument panel. Driver visibility is good, and if the "two-tier" instrument panel, with a digital speedometer and temperature and fuel gauges mounted near the base of the windshield and a brightly-lit tach in the traditional position closer to the driver looks like Spaceship Central, it works, and well. Front seat comfort is good, and the driver's is height-adjustable. The convenience level is high. All trim levels have manual tilt and telescope adjustment of their steering wheels and power windows. At EX level and above, cruise, auxiliary audio, and Bluetooth® (with the nav system) control switches are found on the steering wheel spokes. Useful small- and medium-sized storage spaces abound. The nav system is simple in operation, and the screen folds open for access to the single-disc CD player. No changer? No problem -- XM satellite radio is also included (you do need a subscription) and there is a USB connection in the large console box. Outboard rear passengers get plenty of room, and center usefulness is better than average thanks to a flat floor. The rear seatback folds in all Civic sedan trim levels, fully in most and 60/40 in EX and Si models.
SAFETY: ``Advanced Compatibility Engineering''™ unibody structure improves frontal collision energy management and protects the Civic sedan's occupants along with standard front, front side, and side curtain airbags, and active front headrests. Lower-level models have rear drum brakes, while the EX and above have four-wheel discs. All models have antilock and electronic brake-force distribution standard.
RIDE AND HANDLING: A rigid unibody structure ensures both good handling and a quiet ride, although as a middle-class compact sedan don't expect luxury car levels of noise reduction (or a luxury car price). The fully-independent MacPherson strut / multilink suspension is tuned moderately, for comfort. It works well, and if a sportier driving experience is desired, a sport suspension (springs, shocks, and stabilizer bars) is offered as a dealer-installed option. And then there's the vast Honda tuner aftermarket…
PERFORMANCE: With around 2800 pounds of Civic sedan to move, Honda's 1.8-liter single overhead cam aluminum alloy four-cylinder engine's 140 horsepower (at 6300 rpm) and 128 lb-ft of torque (at 4300 rpm) is more than merely adequate. Honda's i-VTEC variable cam timing, lift, and phasing system broadens the torque band and helps increase efficiency and reduce emissions. Long ago, Hondas were not notable for useful torque. That's no longer a problem, and the Civic EX works fine with the five-speed automatic that's the only transmission available with the nav system. It does downshift on steep highway grades, but does so quickly and smoothly. I got 29 mpg during my time with the car, with more than the usual amount of highway driving. But that highway went through steep mountains. No complaints!
CONCLUSIONS: The Honda Civic EX Sedan with Navigation packages all the comforts and useful technology expected in a more expensive car into a large-inside/small-outside package.
2011 Honda Civic EX Sedan
Base Price | $ 22,405 |
Price As Tested | $ 23,155 |
Engine Type | SOHC 16-valve aluminum alloy inline 4-cylinder with i-VTEC variable valve lift and cam phasing |
Engine Size | 1.8 liters / 109 cu. in. |
Horsepower | 140 @ 6300 rpm |
Torque (lb-ft) | 128 @ 4300 rpm |
Transmission | 5-speed automatic |
Wheelbase / Length | 106.3 in. / 177.3 in. |
Curb Weight | 2820 lbs. |
Pounds Per Horsepower | 20.1 |
Fuel Capacity | 13.2 gal. |
Fuel Requirement | 87 octane unleaded regular gasoline |
Tires | P205/55 R16 89H Bridgestone Turanza EL400 |
Brakes, front/rear | vented disc / solid disc, ABS, EBD standard |
Suspension, front/rear | independent MacPherson strut / independent multilink |
Drivetrain | transverse front engine, front-wheel drive |
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon city / highway / observed | 25 / 36 / 29 |
0 to 60 mph | est 9 sec |
Destination charge | $ 750 |